Oakshire residents sound off after fatal crash

Speeding on the residential road has become a big problem, many say.

Published: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 4:57 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 11:42 p.m.

Residents of Oakshire subdivision in Houma say that they’re not surprised when crashes occur in their neighborhood.

One such crash killed 35-year-old Leroy Whitley, Houma, Sunday after he lost control of his 2000 Ford Crown Victoria and flipped his car.

State Police are still investigating the early morning crash and say they aren’t yet sure how fast Whitley was traveling or whether speed contributed to the wreck.

But Oakshire residents say Idlewild Drive is plagued by speeding drivers who use the street as a shortcut and far exceed the posted speed limit of 25 mph.

Idlewild Drive runs parallel and north of Bayou Gardens Boulevard, connecting the more heavily traveled Park Avenue with Vicari Street near the AMC Houma Palace 10. It’s often used as a shortcut by movie-goers and shoppers headed to and from Southland Mall.

Sarah Arnouville, 29, says she and her sons were run off the road while riding bicycles on Idlewild several months ago.

“(We) were nearly run over by a truck and an SUV who were racing down the road going about 60 mph ... They were swerving all over the road, and I screamed at my sons to jump in the ditch so we wouldn’t be hit, she said.

The family, who moved to Oakshire in October, no longer ride their bikes in the neighborhood. “It’s unsafe,” Arnouville said.

Miranda Hendon, another Oakshire resident, said speeding drivers don’t pay attention to children playing at Oakshire Elementary or its 15 mph speed limit.

“Cars and buses fly by here with no regard to the children playing in the area or waiting for the bus,” Hendon said.

One Idlewild Drive resident said that in his seven years there he has seen countless speeding drivers fly past his home.

“To me, more people speed down my street than people who actually go the speed limit,” Carl Gilbert said.

Hendon said she and others have asked local authorities to crack down on the speeders, but nothing has been done.

<p>Residents of Oakshire subdivision in Houma say that they're not surprised when crashes occur in their neighborhood. </p><p>One such crash killed 35-year-old Leroy Whitley, Houma, Sunday after he lost control of his 2000 Ford Crown Victoria and flipped his car.</p><p>State Police are still investigating the early morning crash and say they aren't yet sure how fast Whitley was traveling or whether speed contributed to the wreck.</p><p>But Oakshire residents say Idlewild Drive is plagued by speeding drivers who use the street as a shortcut and far exceed the posted speed limit of 25 mph.</p><p>Idlewild Drive runs parallel and north of Bayou Gardens Boulevard, connecting the more heavily traveled Park Avenue with Vicari Street near the AMC Houma Palace 10. It's often used as a shortcut by movie-goers and shoppers headed to and from Southland Mall.</p><p>Sarah Arnouville, 29, says she and her sons were run off the road while riding bicycles on Idlewild several months ago.</p><p>“(We) were nearly run over by a truck and an SUV who were racing down the road going about 60 mph ... They were swerving all over the road, and I screamed at my sons to jump in the ditch so we wouldn't be hit, she said.</p><p>The family, who moved to Oakshire in October, no longer ride their bikes in the neighborhood. “It's unsafe,” Arnouville said.</p><p>Miranda Hendon, another Oakshire resident, said speeding drivers don't pay attention to children playing at Oakshire Elementary or its 15 mph speed limit.</p><p>“Cars and buses fly by here with no regard to the children playing in the area or waiting for the bus,” Hendon said. </p><p>One Idlewild Drive resident said that in his seven years there he has seen countless speeding drivers fly past his home.</p><p>“To me, more people speed down my street than people who actually go the speed limit,” Carl Gilbert said.</p><p>Hendon said she and others have asked local authorities to crack down on the speeders, but nothing has been done.</p><p>Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office officials did not return calls for comment. </p><p>Staff Writer Jordan Gribble can be reached at 857-2208 or </p><p>jordan.gribble@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter </p><p>@JGrib_Courier.</p>